LL.M. Degree Requirements

The Graduate Tax Program at New York Law School

The Graduate Tax Program at New York Law School provides the LL.M. in Taxation candidate with the opportunity to acquire a thorough grounding in tax law as well as the skills and disciplines to work at the most challenging levels of tax practice, tax administration, and tax policy making. The Graduate Tax Program comprises a rigorous core curriculum that presents the fundamental concepts of federal income tax law in depth and a broad array of elective courses that build upon that foundation. Currently, some 28 tax electives are offered. Course work emphasizes problem solving as well as the professional responsibilities of the tax advisor. The capstone of the program is the series of advanced tax planning seminars designed to refine analytical, research, and communication skills and to enhance professional judgment and competence in chosen areas of concentration.

Degree requirements for the LL.M. in Taxation

1. Candidates for the LL.M. in Taxation at New York Law School must earn at least 24 course credits for approved course work.

2. Candidates must successfully complete the eight courses of the Core Curriculum and one advanced tax planning seminar (TAX 500 series). Candidates who have completed comparable courses elsewhere may petition for waiver of core courses but nonetheless must complete 24 credits of approved courses with the minimum required grade point average (2.67) to be eligible to receive the LL.M. in Taxation degree.

3. Competence in the practice of tax law requires sensitivity to the professional role of the tax adviser in the tax system as well as sound judgment in technical matters. For this reason, issues of professional responsibility are addressed in the context of the subject matter in all courses in the Graduate Tax Program. In addition, Tax Procedure and Tax Practice (TAX 400) introduces students to the regulatory framework and basic standards for tax practice, and the Annual Tax Lawyering Workshop brings tax practitioners, representatives of the IRS, tax scholars, and students together to discuss current developments in professional responsibility. Through the Workshop and their regular course work, students are introduced to the importance of heightened sensitivity to and continuing education in professional responsibility in the practice of tax law.

4. Course credits applied toward the LL.M. in Taxation degree generally must be earned from the courses listed in the Graduate Tax Program Curriculum. With prior written permission of the Managing Director of the Graduate Tax Program, candidates may substitute up to 4 credits from other course offerings at New York Law School. Candidates concentrating in International Taxation may, with permission, substitute up to 6 credits for international law course. Up to four transfer credits from another LL.M. in Taxation degree program may be granted with the written permission of the Managing Director.

5. A basic course in federal income taxation is a prerequisite for all courses in the Graduate Tax Program. Candidates who do not hold a J.D. degree from a U.S. law school may satisfy this requirement by enrolling in TAX 100 at New York Law School in their first semester in the Graduate Tax Program. Candidates who earned their J.D. degrees more than five years prior to matriculation in the Graduate Tax Program or who wish to review basic income tax concepts may also enroll in TAX 100. However, the basic course in federal income taxation will not count toward meeting the 24 credit requirement for the LL.M. in Taxation.

6. To be eligible to receive the LL.M. in Taxation, a degree candidate must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of B – (2.67). With the exception of Professional Responsibility in Federal Tax Practice (TAX 403), the Graduate Tax Externship (TAX 600), and BUS 300 Accounting for Lawyers, Basic, all courses used to satisfy the LL.M. in Taxation degree requirements must be courses that are graded on a numerical basis. Students who complete 24 credits with less than a cumulative grade point average of 2.67 may take in excess of 24 credits, but only the first 28 credits will be considered in determining whether degree requirements have been met and all required courses shall be included in this determination. The degree must be completed within five years of matriculation.

7. Candidates for the LL.M. in Taxation degree must satisfy any other requirements for the degree that are in force when the degree is conferred.

8. Per semester, a student registered for 8 credits is considered full-time. If you are registered for less than 8 credits, you are considered a part-time student.

* LL.M. in Taxation candidates who have completed the prior 3 credit TAX 401 Problems of Timing or the prior 1 credit TAX 404 Graduate Tax Research and Writing Seminar or were registered for these courses in spring 2007 or in prior years will receive the number of credits designated for the course at the time of their registration and may not enroll in the new version of the course.